The export earnings of Ethiopia, for the month of October, were short of the targets set by the Ministry of Trade it was said. The Ministry of Trade of had set an export target of 300 million US dollars while export earnings totaled 200 million US dollars.
The export earnings for livestock, coffee, beverages, Khat, flowers, spices, wax, leather and leather products amongst others were 50-99% of targets. The export earnings for the month of October are also slightly less than the same time last year.
Export earnings were below target because the export of some products such as unfinished leather was halted said Abdurahman Seid Public Relations Deputy Coordinator of the MoT.
The ministry of trade reported a higher than expected rate of exports in most minerals, with the exception of gold, food items, flour and hair oil.The highest export earnings for the reporting period were received from coffee, followed by gold, Khat, livestock, flowers, oilseeds and leather and leather products.
The Ministry of Trade is engaged in efforts to train exporters, halt illegal activities, facilitate improved inputs and decrease contamination alongside the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Agency said Abdurahman.
Total export earnings for the past four months have shown an increase over the same period last year growing from 766 million US dollars for the period to 960 million US dollars. Even so the four month earning from exports was 248 million US dollars less than the target of 1.2 billion set by the MoT.
Source: Capital